What does a lad from North Carolina and the wild west have in common? Well, for this cowboy, it’s all about the dude ranches, the casinos, and the love of the outdoors! People may wonder where does Dr Paul Harris come from.
There is nothing like exploring America’s country sides, and the western states provide ample examples of beauty and majesty, from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon.
An even better way to explore is from the back of a horse! The places they can go, the heights they can climb to, and the ease in which they do it, make horse back riding a much preferred manner of adventure.
Where Does Dr Paul Harris Come From, The Beginning
I was born and raised in North Carolina, and although we did not have horses growing up, I was around many family farms with horses and other farm friends. My great Uncle Joe would lead me around on horses, and more importantly took me on many a nature hike through his wooded property. My early home was on several lakefront acres that inspired me to hike, fish, and just enjoy being outdoors.
I was in the Boy Scouts, and we often camped locally and went on many canoe trips on the French Broad and New Rivers. My dad, an Air Force veteran, always encouraged learning survivor skills in the outdoors, as he had been trained. He helped in a lot of ways on my path to Eagle Scout.
Our travels as a family were mostly local, yet one trip led us to the Grand Canyon as a young teenager. What a site to behold! The difference in landscapes compared to the Appalachian mountains, and the sheer size of it, really made an impression. I knew I wanted to explore more of this great country when I had the chance.
The School Years
Despite an urge to attend the Air Force Academy, I decided for UNC-Chapel Hill, and fully enjoyed my time there with new friends, experiences, and great preparation for my future studies and career. Summers were spent mostly working, so I could continue to fund my educational needs. Thus, there was not so much travel these years. The North Carolina mountains and coast always beckoned, and many a brief excursion to Boone, Bald Head Island, Cherokee, and other places bring back great memories.
I decided on Wake Forest, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for medical school, which has great proximity to the mountains of this great state. In particular, we were very close to Pilot Mountain, which was a unique mountain to hike, picnic, and visit when one needed to get away from the hospital for a brief time.
During the time between graduation from medical school and internship, I planned a trip out west. After visiting family in Phoenix and another trip to the Grand Canyon, I drove from San Diego to San Francisco, taking in many of the sites along the way. I visited old friends that now lived in certain spots in California. I especially enjoyed the scenic landscapes along the way, from Big Sur to Monterey to Nappa Valley. Seeing Muir Woods and the majestic Redwood trees and forest was captivating.
Training, as a doctor and as a father
Internship and residency led me to Chicago for a number of years. Although this change in geography, climate, peoples, and cultures was different, it really contributed to my growth and understanding of the diversity of this nation and how best to interact in it. My goal was to return to North Carolina, and that is where I set to practice my early years of Ob/Gyn.
I also started a family during this time. First a son, Josh, then 2 daughters, Ellie and Anelise, blessed my life in so many ways. We would make those same hikes and camps and white water rafting trips together as they grew of age, all over North Carolina. Some great memories surround trying to cook a meal for them over a campfire!
I later was blessed with two bonus sons, Everett and Austin, and a loving wife, Lorraine, who cares for much of the same values and activities as myself. We decided we wanted to live on some land, and she especially wanted to pursue her passion for horses. This became a goal and success for both of us!
My journey has also led me to Raleigh and the practice of Tubal Reversal Surgery at A Personal Choice. This is a truly blessed calling for me.
Return to the West
We now have what we call the Harris Family Ranch, which is basically a barn and pasture for our 6 horses. Lorraine rides at home in our riding arena, and at various horse shows. We ride western ranch style, although my riding is mostly on vacation trips. Having large pets is a blessing and also a chore; there are many activities that keep me in shape to maintain the ranch. From scooping manure, to repairing fences, to mowing, to barn maintenance, there is always something to do!
Horses are not our only ranch members, as we have two energetic and fabulous dogs, Hank and Finn, as well as barn cats and several wild animals that visit. Hank is our pride and joy, a one of a kind Saint-Berdoodle, who weighs almost as much as one of our miniature horses! Finn is our Irish doodle, a red haired spark plug who runs circles around the horses.
We also love the rodeo! Not to partake in, for sure, but to watch and enjoy the spectacle of bull riding, barrel racing, and calf roping events. We have found that going to the National Finals Rodeo, yearly in Las Vegas, is a great way to see the rodeo, shop for horse gear and clothes, and (since in Vegas) play some poker. It has become an annual tradition for the two of us.
Another yearly trip we love to take is going to a Dude Ranch. Each year we will travel to states like Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming, and stay at a ranch where the entire focus is riding horseback daily, eating great food, and staying in rustic cabins. And the rides are through spectacular landscapes and mountain ranges. We have seen moose, bear, elk, and many other wildlife. Fly fishing is a popular activity in the mountain streams and rivers. These trips are always inspiring.
We always try to include a trip to one or more of our National Parks when traveling to these ranches, that happen to be nearby. There are many great ones we have seen, and many more yet to be seen. These trips ground me in many ways and make returning home to the more routine life of work and family recharged and in the right mindset.
This is the life for me, and although I will never be a real cowboy, I enjoy my time riding the range, traveling across all states, and reaching a oneness with our great outdoors.
For more personal information about me, visit my first blog: My Journey To Becoming a Tubal Reversal Specialist: Dr Robert Harris. This may answer where does Dr. Paul Harris come from.
Robert “Paul” Harris, MD
Tubal Reversal Specialist Raleigh North Carolina
